Religious Foreshadowing in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Religious Foreshadowing in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Charlotte Brontë uses several different symbols to foretell events that occur in Jane Eyre. For example, Brontë uses birds to

represent freedom, for which Jane longs and finally finds by the end of the novel. Fire is another symbol used by Brontë: When

Bertha sets Rochester's bed on fire, "The image of fire might symbolize signifying first sinfulness, then rebirth" (Vaughon). The

symbolism most fascinating, however, is the way in which Brontë uses religion throughout the novel. Indeed, Jane's world

revolves around religion, and it foreshadows her life.

Charlotte Brontë's own religious background is meaningful to the text. She was raised in a religious home where daily scripture

reading and devotions were an essential part of Brontë's existence. Charlotte's father, Patrick Brontë, was a clergyman for the

Church of England; therefore, Charlotte could not escape the influence of a religious upbringing. Two important books

contribute to the religious foreshadowing in Jane Eyre: The Book of Common Prayer and the Bible.

The importance of The Book of Common Prayer is in the calendar dates given in Jane Eyre. January 15th is the first

important day in Jane's life because it is the day Jane meets the Reverend Brocklehurst. It is here we learn that Jane, at ten

years of age, has considerable knowledge of the Bible already. Jane states that she likes Revelation and several books from

the Old Testament, but she does not like the Psalms. The morning and evening lessons given from The Book of Common

Prayer, respectively, are Genesis XXI, verse 33 to Genesis XXII verse 20, and Genesis XXII (Bolt 3). The scripture tells

about Abraham staying in the land of the Phi...

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...hester:

"The caged eagle, whose gold-ringed eyes cruelty has extinguished, might look as looked that sightless Samson" (Brontë 379).

Rochester finally becomes free of Bertha when she dies in a fire at Thornfield, but in the process Rochester loses his sight.

Samson also lost his sight because of his involvement with Delilah. In his blindness Rochester finally sees the light, God's light,

and is able to accept his future. One researcher notes that "Rochester's newly found faith and his ensuing change of character

make possible his marriage with Jane" (Jackson).

Charlotte Brontë creates more than a romance novel in Jane Eyre. She gives us a mystery that can be solved only if we will

look for the deeper meaning hidden within the novel. Without The Book of Common Prayer and information about Samson's

life, much of Brontë’s craft would be lost to her readers.